Woods, whose first experience of links golf came at this course back in 1995, revelled in the joy of being back in the competition to lift the Claret Jug, with injuries having denied him a spot since 2015.

"I've always loved playing this championship," said the three-time champion golfer of the year.

"This is how the game should be played. It should be creative. It should be played on the ground. You can utilise the ground as an ally.

"When we play home in the States, that's not the case. Everything is going straight up in the air, but this is very different.

"It's amazing, the creativity. I mean, you can roll the ball 100 yards if you wanted to, or you can throw it straight up in the air. I like having those shot options."